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WWGOA Blogger Award

Friday, July 20, 2018

The custom 3D Name patterns I have been making have been very popular. I was working on a few today and decided to make a few for the vets out there. This pattern book contains patterns for all five branches of the US military.

There are two different strategies for cutting the compound cuts. You can use a compound cut 3D Jig to hold block as you cut. This gives you more to hold on to and also allows you to not remove the waste wood while you cut side two.

If you leave the waste wood in while you cut side two you will not have soft area voids where the blade wants to run away.

On a block this size I usually just cut freehand. I am more careful on side two. I pay attention to where the weak areas will be and cut slower. Either way works fine.

Do scroll saw blades stretch and does it really matter?

A question came up today that I have heard discussed before but never paid much attention to. Ron ask this question. "Do you have an opinion on the subject of blade stretch? Some have the opinion that a new blade must be run in before using it to make cuts."

I have never considered this to be an issue but why not do some tests. You can learn new things even at my old age.

The concept of the problem is this. If the blade stretches during use, the tension will become lessened and could potentially ruin a delicate cut. The theory is that if you install the blade and let it run for a while you will get all the stretch out of the blade and not have an issue. Because of my technical background, I know that trying to answer a question like this without testing can make you look silly.

Let's see what happens.

I wanted to measure the exact pre-stretch length of the blade. I chose a #3 blade because I figured a small blade would be more likely to stretch. You can see in the image above that this #3 blade was bowed. To get an accurate measurement I needed to make it as straight as possible.

I clamped the blade to a board using spring clamps pulling the bow out of the blade. I kept a straight edge next to the blade to judge how straight I had it.

I set my digital micrometer to millimeters and zeroed it out. I took a very careful measurement. It came out to 130.52mm.

I took the blade and installed it in my DeWalt scroll saw. The DeWalt give me the best mechanics for adding excessive tension. I really cranked up the tension on the blade. I wanted to stress the blade as much as possible to induce stretch. I let it set for 2.5 hours under this excessive tension.

I removed the blade and set up my measurement as close to the same as my pre-stretch measurement. The new measurement was 130.58mm. That is six-hundredths of a millimeter longer. To be honest that is probably with within the error tolerance of my measurement technique. But, let's say the blade did stretch six-hundredths of a millimeter. How much is that?

In the image above the red line is a scaled up width of a #3 blade. It's about 3 or 4 X actual. I had to make it larger in proportion to the blue line to make sure you could see the blue line. The blue line is what six-hundredths of a millimeter looks like compared to a width of a #3 scroll saw blade. That is a very tiny amount of stretch after 2.5 hours under high tension.

My conclusion based on this limited and not very scientific test is that I won't be trying to pre-stretch the blade before I begin to make actual cuts.

Even if the blade had stretched a significant amount I don't think a pre-stretch is called for. You are going to release the blade after every interior cut. When you reinstall the blade you will be tensioning the blade to it's new stretched length.

This probably was not as exciting as an episode of Myth Busters but I think this myth is busted. At least to my satisfaction. :) Does anyone have a different opinion?

#3 will receive an incredible scrolled piece of art by Charles Dearing. This artwork will be cut live at the show. After the show, it will be packaged and sent to the winner. You will love this artwork.

The contest is open to the world. Enter once per day.

The entries will end 7/31/2018 at midnight. Winners will be drawn during the show.

We will try to stream the drawing live if we have a decent internet connection.

Midwest Scroll Saw and Woodworking Trade Show:

The Midwest Scroll Saw show is August 3rd and 4th 2018. I will be attending the show as the guest of Bear Woods. I will be in their booth both days. If you are able to make it to the show I know we will have a great time.

There are not many mostly scroll saw dedicated trade shows left. This one is hosted by The Veterans Freedom Center and Karen Boelman of The Art Factory. I attended last years show and it was excellent. The show was well attended and had enough vendors to keep your checkbook busy. They also have seminars, contests and more.

The show is in Dubuque Iowa. If you can put enough gas in your car to get there you should make the trip. Hope to see you there. Stop and say hello and we can talk shop.

Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in it's proper formatting click this link. If you ever misplace a pattern or any item you see here you can always find it on the blog. Everything stays on the blog forever.

Products for your consideration:

Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.

Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.

This is the end of the daily posts. Keep scrolling for lot's more scrolls saw fun!

Bear Woods has been around since 1987 serving our hobby. They offer a wide range of craft products including Pegas scroll saw blades, clock inserts, toy parts, workshop supplies and much more. In my ten years of writing the Scrollsaw Workshop blog I have never received a complaint about Bear Woods. I get thousands of email a month so that's saying something about their customer service and quality products. Please support the people who support our hobby. Click now and visit Bear Woods.

Heritage Wood Specialties. Scroll saw ready boards!

Heritage Wood Specialties is a nationally recognized supplier of superior quality hardwoods to fine woodworkers across the US and Canada. Novice hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts alike can enjoy the high quality woodworking materials and kits available from Heritage Wood Specialties.
Great source for scroll saw ready boards.

Seyco

Seyco began business in 1986 with the goal to supply the best customer support and quality products in the scroll saw industry. I have worked with Seyco on many occasions and I can tell you they are simply the best. Please do yourself a favor and click the image above. Steve Good

Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw Book $12 Each

Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.

The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Watch the following video to see how easy these beautiful scroll saw vases
are to make.

Order the $3 pdf Catalog

This is a PDF of all the patterns in my free catalog. It is for Windows only and has a program to automatically download the pattern to your computer. Please watch the video below before you order.
Click the picture to order.

You do not need a PayPal account to order. At the bottom of the PayPal page is a button that will allow you to pay with a credit card. After successful payment click the Return to Merchant button for the download.

Stencil Printer 1.7

Stencil Printer Instruction Video.

The Scrollsaw Workshop Stencil Printer 1.7 is my latest software for creating patterns. It will create key chain fobs, desk name plates and more. Click the image above to download the latest version. It is free to use donationware. This software is for Windows PC only.

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1

Scroll Saw Keychain Pattern Maker

Use the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker to start a small keychain business. Build yourself a nice display and make up severl keychains with common names. Sell at craft shows, on Ebay or at work. Everyone needs a keychain. Take custom orders. Heck just make them and give them away as gifts. It's all made easy with the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker.
Watch the video demonstration then download the file below and get started with the fun.

The following link will start the download process. After the file download is complete just click the setup file and the program will be installed.

Download the Oval Keychain Pattern Maker.

Enjoy designing and printing these great personalized key chains. Give them as gifts, make them for fun or sell them at craft shows. It's easy, just watch the video demo then download and install the program. You will be designing these fun projects in minutes. Windows PC only.

T-Shirts and More.

Show your love for the hobby and support the Scrollsaw Workshop. Safe and secure order fullfilled by CafePress. Take a look. You are sure to find something you like. CLICK THE IMAGE to visit the store.

The Lifter

Papa's Custom Patterns.

Philip Lowndes Noah's Arc Pattern Available. Watch the video below.

This video is from Philip Lowndes. He is the designer of this beautiful Noah's Arc puzzle pattern. If you would like the pattern follow the link below.

Think Safety

Remember to keep the safety of yourself and others in your work shop in your thoughts at all times. Always wear eye and ear protection. Follow all the manufactures warnings that came with your power tools. If I demonstrate something on this web site that you don't feel is safe, don't do it. Your safety is your responsibility. Fingers are handy things, try to keep all of them.__________________________

Disclaimer:The Scrollsaw Workshop Blog is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine formerly (Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine) or it's publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.